A Huge Revolution of Theatrical Commerce: Walter Mocchi and the Italian Musical Theatre Business in South America

Matteo Paoletti

doi:10.1017/9781108855990

Series: Elements in Musical Theatre

A Huge Revolution of Theatrical Commerce

Walter Mocchi and the Italian Musical Theatre Business in South America

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 July 2020

Matteo Paoletti

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Matteo Paoletti: Affiliation:
Università degli Studi di Genova

Summary

In the first third of the twentieth century, South America became the most important market for many European theatrical companies. When Italy found itself in various theatrical crises, Walter Mocchi created a transoceanic theatrical empire, using his business acumen to craft viable solutions. While his efforts were most visible in the sphere of opera, he played an extremely significant role in the promotion and circulation of popular forms of musical theatre (such as operetta) and staged world premieres of works by Italian superstars in Argentina (such as Mascagni's Isabeau), thus offering an early example of what Stephen Greenblatt calls 'cultural mobility'.

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theatre Walter Mocchi Pietro Mascagni opera operetta

Type: Element
Information: Series: Elements in Musical Theatre

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108855990 [Opens in a new window]

Online ISBN: 9781108855990

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication: 13 August 2020

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